Dec. 13, 2012
FCS Senior Scout Bowl | All American Bowl
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham University senior quarterback Ryan Higgins (Merrick, N.Y./Chaminade)and senior linebacker Michael Martin (Arlington, Tex./Juan Seguin) will compete in the 2012 FCS Scout Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Saturday, December 15, it was announced on Tuesday. Additionally, Higgins will also play in the 17th annual All American Bowl at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn., on Saturday, December 22.
The FCS Senior Scout Bowl is presented by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL) as an opportunity to showcase players on the NCAA FCS level. The FCS Senior Football Bowl will bring players who represent 124 FCS Division football programs, to a North vs. South format all-star game each year. These players have earned the honor to play against their best peers in a showcase for scouts and fans to recognize their talent.
The All American Bowl is comprised of three games with players from the NCAA FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA participating. The games will showcase 42 of the nation's top football players on each team, being led by the country's best coaches.
On December 22, the Metrodome will host the All American Bowl Game 1 at 11:05 PM and College All American Bowl Game 2 at 2:05 PM. Then the nation's top Semi-Pro Free agents will play at 5:05 pm. Awards will be presented after each game including MVP awards (game and by position), as well as the Mick Tiglehoff and Jim Marshall awards for the outstanding offensive and defensive linemen. In addition this will be the first at year for the All American Awards, presented to the nation's top football players for the outstanding football careers.
Higgins, a two-year starter, completed 255 of 387 passes this fall for 2,940 yards and 14 touchdowns. His 255 completions is the second best single season total in Fordham history, behind only John Skelton's 284 completion in 2009, while the 2,940 passing yards is fourth best.
In the NCAA FCS rankings, Higgins is ranked 15th in completions per game (23.18), 16th in passing yards/game (267.27), 19th in total passing yards and 26th in total offense (257.00 yards/game). In the Patriot League, Higgins ranked second in passing yards/game and third in passing efficiency and total offense.
Over his career, Higgins completed 488 of 745 passes for 5,393 yards and 23 touchdowns. He graduates third on the Fordham career completions list and fourth in career passing yards, just behind current head coach Joe Moorhead in each of those categories.
Martin, a senior, led the Fordham defense in tackles for the second straight year, finishing the year with 104 total stops, 64 solo, including 9.5 for loss and four sacks, and he added four pass breakups and three quarterback hurries in 2012. He leads the NCAA FCS in forced fumbles per game (0.70) and ranked second in the Patriot League and 21st in the NCAA FCS in tackles/game (10.4). Martin also ranked sixth in the league in tackles for loss and tied for 13th in sacks.
Over his four-year career, Martin compiled 311 total tackles, 182 solo, including 14 for loss and 10.5 sacks. He also has two interceptions and nine pass deflections.
The Rams finished the 2012 season under first-year head coach Joe Moorhead with a 6-5 record, a five-win improvement from the 2011 season, tying Fordham for the second best turnaround in the NCAA FCS this fall.
